While people often escape the impacts of heat by going inside, indoor residences and other buildings are not immune to the impacts of increased heat and heat waves. Heat is the largest weather-related cause of death in the United States (ResilientMass Plan, 2023, p. 5.1-33). Some homes can overheat in problematic ways depending on circulation, insulation, building materials, and the surrounding environment.

Higher temperatures can reduce air quality, leading to an increase in lung and respiratory diseases (ResilientMass Plan, 2023, p. 5.1-33). These health risks will be greater for communities that are already exposed to higher levels of air pollution. Structural racism and redlining of housing opportunity (discriminatory denial of services such as mortgages to residents of certain areas) has resulted in a link between EJ populations and proximity to major roadways, which are a key source of air pollution emissions (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 43).

Higher temperatures and periods of extreme heat reduce the efficiency and reliability of our energy systems. Power plants become less efficient at generating energy, transmission and distribution lines cannot transport as much electricity, and high temperatures can lead to damage, malfunction, and failure of transformers and power lines (MCCA, 2022, Volume II Appendix A, p. A76).

At the same time, electricity consumption in the summer is often higher than the rest of the year because of the use of air conditioning (U.S. EIA, 2020). More consumption leads to more money paid in utilities, which can be especially challenging for low-income populations, housing insecure populations, and people who rent their homes. Studies show that rental housing tends to be less energy-efficient than owner-occupied housing; therefore, power or gas outages will have a disproportionate effect on renters, in addition to older adults and people with disabilities or who rely on electric power for medical devices (Carliner, 2013).

The Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment features perspectives of various community members in its reporting. In one interview, a community member said the following of heat and housing: “There are minimum requirements for heat to renters but no cooling requirements.  There is fuel assistance for heating but little to none for cooling,” (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 33).

Guided Exploration:
This guided exploration will use visual information to help you consider where and how heat may create unsafe living conditions for households in your community, and who may be most affected. 

Open the GEAR Housing Map and select a municipality. Expand the Climate Hazard Data group and turn on the Hot Spots layer. Then turn on the Forest Land Cover and MassDEP Wetlands layers to show which neighborhoods may already have some cooling and shade infrastructure.

Identify where the residential neighborhoods are in your community. What are some of the defining characteristics of the neighborhoods? Toggle on/off housing layers: the Type of Home group, Age of Housing Stock layer, and the Rental Housing Units layer under the EJ and Other Priority Populations group to explore the different kinds of housing stock.

• Based on the Hot Spot data layer, which areas are most exposed to extreme heat?
• Are there particularly old or historic homes concentrated in one neighborhood?
• Where are areas with high concentrations of renters?
• What about Long-Term Care residences?
• What resources can be found in these neighborhoods and areas? Use local knowledge to consider:
• Are there any emergency shelters in these neighborhoods?
• What about shelters for those experiencing homelessness?

You can also explore the EJ and Other Priority Populations group of data to think about which neighborhoods might be more vulnerable to increased heat because of existing inequities. For example, do neighborhoods with high concentrations of poverty have fewer parks or street trees?

Read More About Related Impacts in the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment:

• Loss of Urban Tree Cover page A43 (top impact Central; Boston Harbor)

Increased heat can lead to several added household costs – such as the costs associated with upgrades, retrofits, and high energy bills. Many residents are currently not able to install energy retrofits or cooling systems due to upfront costs, installation barriers, or rental unit restrictions. At the same time, less efficient cooling solutions, such as window air-conditioning units, can create high energy bills, particularly for people living in less efficient homes.

High energy bills can require households to make tradeoffs between keeping their homes at a safe and healthy temperature and paying for other life necessities, including food and healthcare. As of August 2022, about 17% of American households were behind on their utility bills, likely due to rising energy prices and competing bills (National Energy Assistance Directors Association, 2020). Utility shutoffs for non-payment of utility bills result in homes warming to unsafe temperatures. This could increase heat-related illnesses and deaths, as well as contribute to adverse cognitive effects (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 32).

Guided Exploration:
This guided exploration will have you reflect on how different priority populations experience increased heat, recalling recent heat waves and extremely hot days. You’ll consider and discuss the state of housing insecurity in your community and how it might change with increasing temperatures.

First, recall the last heat wave in your community. What were people’s experiences? How did that experience differ among households in your community, depending on where they live and the resources available to them?

• Did your community experience power and/or internet, mobile, cable, or telephone system disruptions?
• Roughly what percentage of residents in your community do not have access to air conditioning, especially central air?
• Have you engaged different housing facilities (such as long-term care, elder, and disabled housing) to learn about how increased heat affects their residents and their operations and maintenance?
• Have you engaged affordable housing owners/managers and residents living in affordable housing to discuss how increased heat affects their ability to live safely and comfortably in their homes?

How does your community experience housing insecurity?

• What percentage of your community is experiencing homelessness or housing instability? Consider talking to shelters, social service agencies, your public schools, or community-based organizations who may have additional insight.
• What types of resources does your community have for unhoused people?
• How much more do households spend on electricity costs during heat waves? Are community members concerned about being able to maintain safe temperatures in their homes during high heat due to costs?
• How might higher temperatures contribute to housing insecurity in your community?
• Have residents who experience housing insecurity or housing cost burdens been engaged on the challenges they are facing, as well as what they think could be effective solutions?